Structural Gender-Based Violence in tertiary institutions and in the Care Economy: Dismantling the Architecture of Inequality
As we observe the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we must look beyond individual acts of violence to examine the systemic structures that perpetuate gender-based violence (GBV) in Southern Africa. These structures are deeply embedded within our institutions, economies, and social systems, creating an architecture of inequality that normalizes and sustains violence against women, girls, and marginalized gender identities.
Structural gender-based violence operates through established patterns of social, economic, and political power that systematically disadvantage certain groups. Unlike direct physical violence, structural violence often remains invisible because it has been normalized within our institutions and daily practices. This invisibility makes it particularly pernicious and challenging to address.
The scale of gender-based violence in Southern African tertiary institutions reveals a disturbing pattern. Approximately 20-25% of female students in South African universities experience sexual assault during their academic careers. At the University of Zimbabwe, a 2023 survey showed that 32% of female students reported experiencing sexual harassment within their first year alone. The problem of under-reporting compounds these statistics. Research by the South African Medical Research Council indicates that only one in nine cases of campus sexual assault is reported to university authorities. This silence is institutionally enforced – 67% of surveyed institutions lack dedicated GBV reporting mechanisms, and 78% have no specific budget allocated for GBV prevention and response.
On the other hand, the care economy in Southern Africa reveals stark inequalities. In South Africa alone, the care sector employs over 2.2 million people, with women constituting 91% of domestic workers. Yet only 20% have formal employment contracts, and 73% earn below the minimum wage. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these inequalities – a 2022 WIEGO study found that domestic workers’ income dropped by 80% during lockdowns, with 73% reporting food insecurity.
In Zimbabwe, women spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on unpaid care work, compared to 1.2 hours for men. This unpaid care work is valued at approximately 35% of the country’s GDP, yet remains unrecognized in national accounts. Malawi’s situation is equally concerning – 89% of care workers operate informally, with no social protection or legal recourse.
Moving Forward: The Path to Structural Change
Recent developments offer hope. The 2024 SADC Regional Universities Forum has initiated a comprehensive policy review focusing on GBV. The newly formed Southern African Care Workers Alliance has successfully advocated for improved labour protections in three countries. However, significant gaps remain – only 3 out of 16 SADC countries have specific legislation protecting care workers, and just 27% of tertiary institutions have dedicated GBV support units.
Addressing structural gender-based violence requires more than individual behavioural change. We need systemic transformation that includes:
- Comprehensive policy reform addressing gender inequality at institutional levels
- Adequate funding for gender-responsive programs and services
- Strong institutional accountability mechanisms
- Meaningful community engagement in identifying and challenging harmful structural practices
As we observe these 16 Days of Activism, let us commit to dismantling the structures that perpetuate gender-based violence and building institutions that protect and empower all members of our society, regardless of their gender identity. Only through such systemic change can we hope to create a society free from all forms of gender-based violence.
